Gachagua sets mega rally ahead of Emurua Dikirr by-election
By Faith Lagat, April 7, 2026The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has announced a high-octane “Mega Rally” at the Emurua Dikirr Uhuru Grounds on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The rally is expected to serve as a key endorsement platform for Vincent Kibet Rotich, the DCP candidate vying for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat in the upcoming by-election.
The announcement was shared via DCP-affiliated channels, including a post by DCP TV on April 6, 2026. It comes at a critical moment in the South Rift political landscape, following the tragic death of long-serving MP Johana Ng’eno, who died in a helicopter crash on February 28, 2026, at Chepkiyep village in Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County.
“Venue; Emurua Dikirr Uhuru Grounds. Itakuwa moto kama pasi. Tukutane Wednesday 08, april, 2026 . Mega Rally, for Hon Vincent Kibet Rotich MP Emurua Dikir,” DCP TV X post read in part.
The accident claimed six lives and triggered a by-election scheduled for May 14, 2026, by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Emurua Dikirr, carved out of Kilgoris before the 2013 General Election, has 44,447 registered voters and will elect only its second MP since creation.
UDA nomination
Days before DCP’s announcement, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) concluded a party nomination on March 27, 2026, across 96 polling stations.
David Kipsang Keter, popularly known as Dollarline, won with 13,759 votes, narrowly defeating Bernard Kipkoech Ng’eno (alias Buluu), the late MP’s personal assistant, who received 13,394 votes.
The razor-thin margin of 365 votes emphasised the competitiveness of the race. Other aspirants included Kibet Rotich Farouk, Joseph Kiprono Koech, and John Saitoti.
UDA National Election Board Vice Chairperson Veronica Chebet described the process as smooth, despite high voter turnout and afternoon rains affecting some stations, including Soget Primary School.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar praised grassroots participation, stating the party left the choice entirely to the people of Emurua Dikirr. President William Ruto congratulated Dollarline, pledging “unqualified support” as the party’s flagbearer and urging unity among all candidates.
The nomination faced allegations of irregularities from Buluu’s camp, including bribery, repeat voting, and proxy voting. The UDA Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee invited complaints, but Keter’s victory positioned him strongly as the favorite to succeed the late Ng’eno.
In a notice on Friday, March 27, 2026, the party’s Electoral and Nomination Dispute Resolution Committee (ENDRC) announced it would receive, hear and determine all disputes relating to the party’s grassroots elections and ongoing nominations.
Local leaders have urged peaceful participation as political activity intensifies. With the May 14 by-election approaching, attention remains on Emurua Dikirr, a constituency now at the center of a high-stakes political battle that could influence alliances in the South Rift.